Tumbling toy



y 1965 w. KIRSCHNER 3,192,663

TUMBLING TOY Filed Jan. 15, 1963 INVENTOR. W ILLIAM KIRSCH N ER BY .5

A TTOAWEYS United States Patent 3,192, 5.63 TUMBLING TQY 'Wiiliani Kirsehner, Les Angeies, Caiih, assignor of onehaif to Robert B. Miiiwater, Torrance, Fiied Ian. 15', 1963, Ser. No. 251,636

2 Cit-rims. (Cl. 46-202) This invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly to a novel type of tumbling toy in which a member is caused to descend a ramp structure.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel toy structure in which a member is caused to move from a first to a second position in such a manner that it will execute entertaining and novel motions during its travel between the two major positions.

More particularly, it is an object to provide an improved tumbling type toy in which a non-circular memher is caused to descend a ramp structure in rolling engagement in a manner such that it appears to Walk down the ramp structure.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a ramp structure having a corrugated surface. Preferably, the corrugations are defined by a series of ridges positioned next to each other in the manner of a series of logs, each ridge following the arcuate segment of a circle in cross section. Preferably, the arcuate segment is somewhat less than 180 degrees and the successive segments forming the corrugated surface are adjacent to each other so that V type grooves are defined between the adjacent ridges.

Cooperating with the above-described ramp structure is a tumbling member including at least one portion having a square shape cross section. The side dimension of this square corresponds substantially to the length of the arcuate segment of each ridge so that when the member tumbles down the ramp structure, rolling contact is maintained between the side of the square shape and the ridges, the corners of the square shape fitting into the grooves between the ridges. The resulting action is both amusing and functional in transporting the member from a first raised position to a second lower position. The device itself may serve as a toy or constitute a component of a larger structure such as a sloping roadway and truck or other vehicle having square wheels for cooperating with the sloping roadway.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to one embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the two major members making up the tumbling toy of this invention; and,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view useful in explaining the operation of the tumbling toy.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the tumbling toy includes a basic ramp structure including a corrugated surface represented generally by the numeral 11. This corrugated surface is made up of a series of ridges 11a with alternate grooves 11b defined therebetween.

Cooperating with the corrugated surface of the ramp structure 10 is a tumbling member including, by Way of example, first and second square wheels 12 and 13 connected by an axle 14. The dimensioning of the wheels in relation to the corrugated surface 11 of the ramp 10 is such that the same will tumble down the ramp structure in rolling engagement therewith. This action will be better understood by now referring to FIGURE 2.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the square wheel 12 has a side 12:: of dimension S. This dimension is made to correspond to the length of each arcuate segment forming the ridge 11a, 'each such segment preferably constituting the segment of a circle of radius R as indicated. The arcuate extent of each segment is preferably less than 180 degrees and for economy in manufacture and better geometry in the overall structure, the preferred arcuate length is degrees. By this arrangement, one member of circular cross section may be divided to form three such ridges. Further, the angle at which the grooves are defined by segments extending over only 120 degrees more nearly approaches a right angle. The grooves are thus better adapted to receive the corners 12b of the member 12 as the same tumbles down the ramp structure as illustrated in dotted lines at 12'.

Thus, in operation, the square shaped cross section member 12 will initially rest on one of the ridges as indicated in FIGURE 2, and because of the sloping structure, will tumble over so that its cornerj12b falls into one of the grooves 111;. The tumbling action will continue so that substantial rolling engagement exists between the side and the arcuate ridge surfaces. Since these are dimensioned to correspond to each other in length, substantially no sliding engagement will take place as the member tumbles down the inclined surface.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention has provided a novel and intriguing tumbling type toy which may serve as a toy in and of itself or as a component of a more complex structure wherein the tumbling members might serve as square wheels for any type of vehicle.

What is claimed is:

i. A tumbling toy comprising, in combination: a ramp structure having alternate ridges and grooves to define a corrugated surface, each of said ridges following a contour defined by the arcuate segment of a circle; and a tumbling member having side portions adapted to roll on said ridges and corner portions adapted to be received in said grooves as said member descends said ramp structure, said member including a square shape in cross section, the side dimension of said square shape being substantially equal to the length of said arcuate segment whereby substantially no sliding engagement takes place between said member and said corrugated surface.

2. A toy according to claim 1, in which said member comprises a pair of square shaped wheels each defining in cross section said square shape; and an axle connecting said Wheels together so that they move in unison down said ramp structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,536,510 5/25 McGrath et al. 273-128 X 2,863,666 12/58 Aronson 273-108 FOREIGN PATENTS 226,999 1/ 25 Great Britain. 636,377 1/ 28 France. 124,095 8/31 Austria.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TUMBLING TOY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A RAMP STRUCTURE HAVING ALTERNATE RIDGES AND GROOVES TO DEFINE A CORRUGATED SURFACE, EACH OF SAID RIDGES FOLLOWING A CONTOUR DEFINED BY THE ARCUATE SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE; AND A TUMBLING MEMBER HAVING SIDE PORTIONS ADAPTED TO ROLL ON SAID RIDGES AND CORNER PORTIONS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVES AS SAID MEMBER DESCENDS SAID RAMP STRUCTURE, SAID MEMBER INCLUDING A SQUARE SHAPE IN CROSS SECTION, THE SIDE DIMENSION OF SAID SQUARE SHAPE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF SAID ARCUATE SEGMENT WHEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY NO SLIDING ENGAGEMENT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN SAID MEMBER AND SAID CORRUGATED SURFACE. 